Disk harrow



Dec. 2, 1941. c. H. WHITE 2,264,783

` DISK HARRow Filed Jan. 8, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 6AM/M EJ H WHITE ATTORNEYS Dec. 2,A 1941. .Q H, WHfTE 2,264,783

DISK HARROW File@ Jan. 8, 1938 4 sheets-sheet 4 M ma ,www

ATTORNEYS PatentedgD'ec. 2, 1941 DISK minnow Charles H. White, Moline, Ill., assignor to Deere & Company,'Mol ine, Ill., a corporation of Illinois e Application January 8, 1938, Serial No. 183,988

45 claims.

This invention relates generally to agricultural f implements and is'more particularly concerned with disk narrows 4of the double action type, although certain features of my invention are also applicable to disk narrows of lthe single acti-on type.

One of the principal objects `of this invention is the provision of a diskharrow having a rigid unitary frame and djaft transmitting means pivotally connected tothe frame and to the gangs, and in the case of'harrows of the double action type, it is also an object of the invention in this connection to provide draft means not only connecting the pivoted draft member with the front gangs but also connecting the front and rear gangs. More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a disk harrow having front and rear gangsL pivotally connected for generally fore and aft swinging movement with a rigid I,unitary frame to which a separate draft member is pivotally connected, with suitable draft connections extending between the draft member and the front gangs and between the front and rear gangs.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a disk harrow that is exceptionally flexible and wherein the disk gangs are arranged to have independent generally vertical swinging.

movement with respect to each other about generally-fore and aft Vextending axes. This feature makes it possible to have sufficient flexibility in the implement to permit the latter to follow the contour of uneven ground, as may be encountered in terraced fields, for example, without having to rely upon looseness in the various connections and without straining the harrow, yet adequately taking care of the lateral thrusts `which the gangs impose on the frame of the harrow.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a disk harrow of the type having a frame wherein the disk gangs are connected to the frame through universal joint means which permit the disk gangs to move'freely in various directions to accommodate irregularities in the ground surface while adequatelytaking care of lateral thrusts involved.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a disk harrow in which the draft is transmitted to the implement through a draft frame or other means whichis pivotally connected with the gangs for generally vertical swinging movement about horizontal transverse pivots. This is especially important in harrows of the double action or other type in which the disk gangs are arranged behind one another, in that arranging the draft frame for vertical swinging effectively prevents any tendency for variations in theheight of hitch to cause certain gangs or certain disks .in the gangs to run deeper than the others.

An additional object of the present invention is the provision of a disk harrow having front and rear gangs and so arranged that proper registration is secured'between the front and rear disks, whether traveling in a straight line or traveling in a curved path. Specifically in `this connection it is an object of this .invention to provide front and rear disk gangs pivotally connected to a rigid frame to which the draft transmitting means is also -pivotally connected and in which the swinging movement of the front gangs is transmitted to the rear gangs at such a ratio as to secure the proper registration at all times.

Still further, another object of this invention is the provision of a disk harrow having front and rear pairs of disk gangs and in which ythe rear gangs are capable of lateral adjustment to-V ward and away from each other so as-to accommodate different speeds of operation and diierent sizes and shapes of disks. S 1

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a disk harrowwherein spring means is provided so as to tend to cause the disk gangs to return to their aligned positions, and a further object of thisinvention is the provision of spring means especially arranged to resist the tendency for the soil reaction against the disks to cause those at one end to run deeper than the others. A further object of my invention in this connection is the provision of leveling springs arranged to prevent certain disks from running deeper than the others with a force that increases in effectiveness with an increase in the operating angle of the disk gangs, thereby compensating for the greater tendency for the gangs to dig in when the 'operating angle is increased.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description of the proposed construction which is illustrated in the accompanying fdraw.

ings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a disk harrow, in

transport position, in which the principlesv of my invention have been embodied;

Figure 2 is a plan view similar 'to Figure 1 but showing the disk harrow with the gangs in their angled or operatingy position;

Figure 3`is a plan view of the disk harrow in operating position and when drawn along a v curved path;

Figure 4 is a side view of the disk harrow shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a rear view looking forwardly and illustrating particularly the leveling springs for the rear gangs and the means for adjusting the rear gangs toward and away from each other;

and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of Figure 5.

Referring now to the drawings, the disk harrow chosento illustrate the principles of the present invention comprises 'a front pair of gangs, indicatedgby the reference numeral I, a rear pair of gangs 2, a rigid unitary frame 3, and a draft frame 4I The frontpair-of gangs I .consist of two right and left hand disk gang sections I and 8, and each disk gang includes a frame lll and suitable inner and outer brackets II and I2 which carry the bearings in which the disk shaft is journaled for rotation. Disks I4 are mounted on the shaft and are held in proper. spaced relation by spools I5. The rear bar of each frame Ill carries a rack I6 to receive weights when it is desired to provide for additional penetration or when operating in unusually hard ground.

The rear pair of gangs 2 is of similar construction, embodying two disk gang sections 23 and 2|, each-having a frame'22 carrying suitable brackets 23 and 24 receiving the shaft upon which disks 25 are fixed and maintained in spaced apart relation by spacing spools 26. A weight box or rack 21 is fixed to the forward bar of each frame 2l. The inner brackets 23 of the rear gangs are connected together by a cross brace 30, and a similar cross Ibrace 3I connects the brackets II at the inner ends of the forward gangs 'I and 8.

The frame 3 consists of two generally longitudinally extending frame bars and 36 which are rigidly connected together at or adjacent their ends by transverse members in the form of arches 3B and 39. Secured to the forward arch 38`is a pair of downwardly and forwardly converging members 40 which receivethe draft transmitted thereto and which are provided with a number of holes 4I to provide for adjusting the height of hitch as will be referred to later.

The rear arch 39 consists of two members 42 and 43 rigidly secured to or forming a part of the rear ends, respectively, of the frame members 35 and 3S. A plate 44 is welded to each of the members 42 and 43 so as to be disposed in overlapping relation, the outer end of each plate 44 having upper and lower apertured ears 45 which receive the vends of a Ubolt-46. Each U-bolt embraces the associated portions of the other plate and arch member, and the opposite plate `44 carries a plurality of lugs 4l which cooperate with the intermediate portion of the associated U-bolt so that when the U-bolts 46 are tightened, thev plates 44 and members 42 and 43 constituting the rear arch 39 are firmly fixed together in rigid relation. As will be explained later in detail, the effective width of the frame arch 39 may be adjusted by loosening the U-bolts 46 and bringing the members 42 and 43 closer together or further apart, as desired.

As best shown in Figures 5 and 6, the outer ends of the members 42 and 43 extend downwardly, as at 42a land 43n (Figure 5), and terminate in spindle sections 5I each of which is received in the sleeve portion 52 of a yoke 53 having arms 55 which are pivoted and embrace a bearing sleeve 56. The latter encloses and is supported for rotation on one of the spools 26 which is disposed about the shaft or tie rod 5l which passes through all of the disks and spools of the disk gangs and holds them together for rotation as a unit. The fork ends 55 of the yoke member 53 Vare received by pivot bolts 60 which pass through the lower ends of the bracket members 23. Since the yoke member 53 can swing about the transverse axis defined by the bolts 60, and since the gang section 2l and yoke member 53 can move or swing fore and aft about the generally vertical axis defined by the spindle end 5I of the frame arch 39, and since the disk unit can rotate about the axis of the shaft or tie bolt 5!it will be seen that the construction just described provides a universal joint connection between the disk gang unit 2l and the frame, the universal joint connection, taken as a whole, permitting movement of the disks about the three axes just mentioned; such axes intersect, as best shown in Figure 6. The other rear disk gang 20 is connected with a universal joint connection with the other end 43 of the frame arch 39 .by substantially the same construction, and hence a further description is unnecessary, the same reference numerals being applied for each rear gang. l

The front arch 3B of the frame 3 is similar to the rear arch 39 just described except that it is not laterally adjustable. The front arch 3B forms a rigid part; of the unitary frame 3 and has downwardly extending ends which are connected tothe inner ends of the front disk gangs 'I and 3 by universal joint connections of substantially the same construction shown in Figure 6 and described above. Thus, like the rear gangs 23 and 2i, the front gangs 'I and 8 are each connected to the frame 3 by means permitting the gangs to swing either horizontally or vertically about axes at right angle to one another and which axes intersect the axis of rotation of the gang disks, but each pair of gangs is held stable in vertical position by the rigid frame 3 and the other pair of gangs pivoted thereto.

The hitch or draft frame 4 which comprises a draft member or draw bar I0 which includes a pair of laterally spaced angles 'Il and 12 which are connected together at their forward ends by upper and lower'plates '13. The rear ends of the angles 'II vand I2 are fixed to a clevis 'i4 having upper and lower apertured ends. A tongue l1 is slidably disposed in and projects forwardly from the member fill and has a plurality of apen tures 'I8 formed therein. At its forward end the tongue 'I'I carries a clevis 80 for attachment to a tractor or other source of draft. The tongue Il extends rearwardly between the plates 'II and I2 and at its rear end has a pair of plates 82 secured thereto by-a bolt- 83.

Thetongue 'il is slidable back and forth relative to the draft number 10 and is shown in Figures l, 2 and 3 in its extrerneforward position, with the plates B2 in abutment with the rear ends of the plates -13 through which draft force is transmitted to the implement. The rearward limit of the sliding movement of the tongue 'il is dened by the clevis 'I4 with which the plates 82 on the rear end of the tongue 'H are adapted to abut.

A slide or yoke 88 is disposed about the tongue 4'I'I and carries vertical pivots 81 to which the 'forwardends of a' pair of draft links su and 9| are connected. The rear ends of the draft links 90 and 9| are formed with hooks 94 which engage in suitable loops,95 xed to the forward bars of the front gangs land 8.v The hooks 94 posed in a selected set of openings 4I (Figure 4). Thus, the entire draft frame 4 can swing vertically about generally horizontal transverse axes, or the hitch or draft frame can swing horizontally about the pivot 99 on the frame 3 and the pivots 94, 95 on the front gangs, as illustrated in Figure 3.

Mounted on the slide or yoke 86 is a latch ||0 which has an end engageable in anyone ofthe openings 18. A cable I I extends from the latch '.IIO to the operators seat on the tractor. The slide 86 carries a pair of lugs ||2, and the latch is mounted on the lug ||2 by a pivot bolt ||3 or the like. To angle the gangs from their transport position, shown in Figure 1, the tongue 11 is first pushed 'ba'ck to its extreme rearward position, with the plates 82 contacting the clevis 14. This can be done by backing the tractor with the latch disengaged from the tongue 11, as

by the operator pulling on the rope Then,

if the rope I is released, the latch ||0 will engage one of the openings 18, and then the tractor can be driven forwardly and will exert a pull through the draft links 90 and 9| against the outer ends of the front gangs 1 and 8, thus pullingr the gangs 1 and 8 into angled position until the several openings |29 formed inthe outer enclM of the link |25, the arm |23 having an opening to receive the pivot bolt |28. As best.indicated in Figure 1, the plurality of holes |2| are dispoised in an arcabout the boit 12s of the pivqt. However, the row of holes |2| in the arms or brackets |20 is not'arcuate about the associated bolt |28 when the gangs are arranged for operation 'in an angled position, as indicated in Figure 2. Thus, the bolts |21 may be placed in the'hole |2| that gives the desired angular relation between the front and rear gangs when vthey arei in operating position (Figure 2), but when the gangs are swung back into their transport position, both front and rear pairs of gangs will be aligned, respectively, regardless as to which of the holes' |2| receive the bolts |21 (Figure 1) A plurality of holes |29 are provided in each of the links |25 for the purpose of adjusting the effective lengths of the latter when the rear end of the frame 3 is adjusted in width to move the rear gangs 20, 2| toward or away from each other, in order to insure that the rear gangs are brought into alignment when the harrow is set in its transport position. When theY rear gangs are adjusted toward each other from the position shown in thgdr'awings, the bolts |28 should be moved to thef inner holes |29, and when the rear gangs are adjusted away from each other from the illustrated position, the bolts |28 should be placed in the outer holes |29. The holes |29 also provide means for adiusting the `rear gangs 20, 2| relative to the front gangs 1,

the plates 82 engage the plates 13 on the draft member 10, moving the front gangs into the position shown in Figure2. If it is not desired that the gangs be angled fully, the tractor need not be backed far enough to push the tongue 11 rearwardly the full extent but only far enough to secure the desired amount of angle; Then by engaging the latch at this point, the subsequent forward movement of the draft will move the gangs into an' angled position somewhat less than the angle shown in Figure 2. The amount of angling can be reduced at any time simply by releasing the latch H0. When the latch is released the soil resistance against the disks of the front gangs will cause the gangs to fall back-, either to their transport position (Figure 1),' or to an intermediate angled position if the latch ||0 is reengaged with the tongue 11 before the plates 82 engage the plates 13.

The angle of the rear gangs 20 and 2| is controlled by the angle of the front gangs 1` and 8 through a link connection between the fore and aft gangs at each side on the harrow. An arm |20 is rigidly connected with and extends rearwardly from the inner end ofeach of the front gangs 1 and 8, and each arm |20 has aplurality arm |20 on the forward gang. A link |25 is V'connected by pivot bolts'to the ends of the as jsociated arms |20 and |23, there being a pivot-bolt lldisposed in one of theopenings |2| in the arm |20 and another pivot-bolt |28 in one of 8 in addition to the adjustment provided by the holes |2| in the arms |20. When the bolt |28 at the outer end of each of the links |25 is iny the intermediate hole |29, the rear gangs are angled the same extent as the front gangs. By placing the bolt |28 in the inner hole |29, the angle of the rear gangs will l,be less than the front gangs when the disk harrow is arranged forffoperation, and by placing the bolt |28 in the outer hole |29 the angle of the rear gangs willmb'e greater thanthe angle of the front gangs. Adjusting the angle of the rear gangs by this means, however, has the disadvantage that when the bolts |28 are placed in holes |29 other than those corresponding to the adjustment of the width of the rear end of the frame 3, the rear gangs will y the rigid frame connection between the gangs,

maintains the rear gangs in proper registration with the front gangs during a right or lef-t turn, causing the harrow to turn the soil-properly during a straight ahead travel and during turns, as indicated in Figure 3. Maintaining the disks of the frontand rear gangs in the proper registration, all of the soil is turned either by the front disks or by the rear disks. f

I have found that the registration of this harrow'is definitely superior to that, of the conven- I tional harrow in which the rear gangs are connected to a rear draft frame whichis pivotally connected to a front frame to which the front gangs are connected, thereby providing for horizontal swinging movement of lthe two rear gangs and rear frame as a unit relative to the front gangs and front frame. The reason for the superior registration of m'yharrow is that with the articulated type of draf-t frame last mentioned,

the reargangs tend to lfollow the line of least resistance by swinging bodily about the frame pivot until the discs in the rear lgangs are running in the furrows formed by the front gangs instead of cutting their own furrows intermedi, ate of the front gang furrows. This action is found both in operationon the straight-away and on turns, but is inclined to be more pronounced on turns. In the harrow of my present invention, however, the rigidity of the unitary frame with the link connections between gangs insures that the harrow is held so that the rear gangs cannot swing laterally relative to the'front gangs in lthe'rnanner'described, and thus Vpresserves correct registration.

As shown in Figure 3, when making a turn the arm on theoutside front gang swings substantially into a straight line relation with the associated link |25. 'I'his serves the beneficial purpose of preventing the'rear gang on the outside of the turn from angling excessively, whereby the outside gangs, being pivo'ted'to the rigid frame 3, are held in their proper relative position during a turn as well as when operating straight ahead, as in Figure 2.

The disks of the front gangs l and 8 face outwardly, and the disks of the rear gangs 2|) and 2| face inwardly. In operation when the 'disks are angled (Figures 2 and 3) the reaction of the pressure against the disks causes the outer disks of the front gangs and the inner disks of the rear gangs to tend to run deeper, or dig into the soil,

is formed with a'bifurcated section |56 which is apertured and is pivoted to a universal joint block |51 which, in turn, is pivoted about a vertical axis to a lug |60 or some other suitable part on the 5 rigid frame sleeve, preferably on a part of the and to maintain the front and rear gangs level,

spring means are connected between the disk gangs and the rigid frame. A pair of tension springs and |4| are connected at their inner ends to the rigid unitary frame 3 at a point slightly to the rear of the iront arch 38, the lower ends of which are connected by universal joint means to the inner ends of the front gangs l and 8 as described above. The outer ends of the springs are eachvconnected to an adjusting link |43, the outer end of which is threaded into a sleeve |44 which is rotatably disposed in an apertured lug |45 xecl to the gang frame l0 in any suitable manner. the outer end of the threaded tube |44, so that by turning the handle |46 the 'tube i 44 can be rotated in one direction or -the other to increase or decrease the tension exerted by the associated spring. Since the springs |4lland |4| are anchored to the frame to the rear of 'the vertical axis dened by the universal joint means connecting the inner ends o'f the gangs 1 and-,8 to the rigid frame l.3, the tendency of the springs |40 and |4| is to return the gangs totheirtransport position (Figure l) in addition to'their effect of exerting a pull on the outer ends of the front gangs so as to resist 4the tendency of the outer ends to run deeper than the inner ends.

Since the inner ends of the rear gangs tend to dig into the `soil and raise the outer ends, cornpression springs |50 and |5| have beenprovided and are arranged to act between the rigid frame 3 and the outer ends of the rear gangs 2U and Z The outer end of each ofthe springs '|50 and |5| bears against a lug or bracket -ISS'that is welded or otherwise secured in any suitable manner to the gang frame 22. A long rod |54 extends through each of the springs and through the lug |53, and the inner end of each rod |54 is threaded and receives a pair of adjusting nuts |55. The inner end of each of the springs '|50 and 5| bears against the adjusting'nuts through a suitable washer |66. The inner end of each of the rods |54 inwardly of thethreaded portion A handle |46- is Xed to reararch 35. As illustrated, the lugs |60 are formed as a part of the frame arms 42 and 43, with the result that when the rear arch 38 is adjusted, lthe points at which the compression springs are anchored to the rigid frame are cor- -respondingly adjusted. These lugs |60 are, as

best shown in Figure 6, also rearwardly of the vertical pivots (see Figure 6) about which the rear gangs 20 and 2| swing generally fore and aft. As a result of this arrangement, the tendency of the springs is not only to swing the gangs into their transport position but also to hold the outer ends down and offset the tendency for the inner ends to run deeper than the outer ends.-

Since the upthrust counterbalancing springs |40, |4| and |50, |5| are connected at points spaced longitudinally along the rigid frame with respect to the pivots about which the front and rear gangs swing, these springs exert a force which increases when the angle of the gangs increases and is decreased when the angle of the gangs is decreased. It is well known that the greater the angle of the gangs the greater will be the tendency for one end of the gang to run deeper, or dig in, than the other end. Therefore, arranging the springs in this manner effectively equalizes the pressure between the inner and outer ends of the gangs for any angled position of the gangs.

From the above description it will be apparent that I have provided a novel disk harrow embqdying a rigid unitary frame construction that is connected to each of the front and rear gangs and `which is provided with a draft member pivotally connected to the frame and withfdraft connections between the draft member and the front gangs and also between the front and rear gangs. It will also be noted that the draft member and draft connections have universal joint connection with the rigid frame and front gangs and that the gangs themselves have universal joint connection with the rigid frame. As a result of this construction the harrow is exceedingly iexible and can accommodate uneven ground, yet the connections between the various parts are such that the disks are all held in the properpositon, even during turns. Also, by virtue ofthe ilexible connection between the hitch and the gangs and their frame, the hitch point may rise and fall without aifecting the operation of the gangs themselves. Further, the hitch is connected to the frame in a manner making it possible to adjust the pressures of the front gangs relative to the rear gangs by raising or lowering the connection of the draft member to the rigid frame. The latter is so constructed that the rear gangs can be adjusted toward or away from each other yso as to provide for different speeds of operation Aand for diierent sizes and shapes of disks,-and the leveling springs acting between the rigid frame and the front and rear gangs act to tend-to return the gangs to their transport position, thus aiding the straightening of the gangs from their angled position, and in addition the springs are so arranged that their effective force in maintaining the gangs level increases with increased operating angle so as to compensate for the greater tendency of the gangs to dig in when the operating angle isincreased.

2,264,783 l While I have shown and described above thev preferred structure in whichtheprlnciplesof the present invention have been embodied, it is'to be understood that my invention is not to belimited to the specific details shown and described, but that, in fact, widely different means may be employed in the greater aspects of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A disk harrow'comprising la'unitary rigid frame, two pairs of disk gangs pivotally connected to the rigid frame, a rigid draft member pivotally connected for lateral swinging `movement to said rigid' frame, rigid draft members pivotally connected at.th'eir rear ends to the laterally outer end of the forward gangs, and means connectingthe forward ends of said-last mentioned rigid draft members to said first mentioned rigid draft member for controlled longitudinal movement relative thereto.

2,'A disk harrow comprising a rigid frame, front and rear pairs of disk harrow. sections piv otally connected with said frame, a rigid draft member pivotally connected to said frame'to transmit draft thereto, rigid draft connections between said ,front disk sections and said draft member, whereby movement of said rigid draft member in one direction exerts a forward pull on one of said sections and a rearward thrust on the other section, and draft connections between the front and rear disk sections, whereby forward movement of either of said frontsections swings the associated rear section in the opposite direction.

3. A disk harrowr comprising a rigid frame, a pair of disk gangs pivotally connected at their inner ends to saidframe for bothI fore and aft and generally vertical swinging movement relative thereto, and means for` holding said gangs stable.

' 4. A disk harrowcomprising a frame, two pairs of front and rear gangs, universal joint means connecting eachof said gangs to said frame, whereby saidxgangs are capable of both fore and aft and generally vertical'swinging movement relative to` the frame, a draft member pivoted for lateral swinging movement to the forward end of said frame, links extending laterally and rearwardly and connected to the outer ends of said gangs and accommodating vertical swinging movement thereof, whereby lateral movement of said draft member in either direction and regardless of the vertical position of said front gangs, will swing the latter in the horizontalplane, means actuated by movement of said front gangs in either-direction for swinging said rear gangs into and out of angled operating position, and means for holding said gangs stable.

5. A disk harrow comprising a frame, two pairs of disk gangs; universal joint vmeans operatively connecting each gang adjacent its inner end tosaid frame, a draft transmitting member, universal joint means operatively connecting said draft transmitting member to the forward por-` tion of said frame, means on said draft transmitting member and operatively connected with the outer ends of the forward gangs for swinging 'said gangs in a generally fore and aft direction about the axes established by said first universal joint means-'and means for holding said gangs stable.

, 6. A disk harrow comprising a frame, front and rear disk gangs, universal joint'l means connecting f each gang to said frame for both fore and aft and vertically swinging movement, draft transmitting meansalso having universal joint connections with said frame member and the front gangs, and means for holding said-gangs stable.

7. A disk harrow comprising a unitary rigid frame, two pairs of front and rear gangs, unlversal joint means connecting each of said gangs to said frame for both fore andaft and vertical swinging movement. a draft member pivotally connected to said frame, draft connections between the front and rear gangs and between the front gangs and 'said draft member, and means for holding said gangs stable. l

8. A disk harrow comprising frame means, a pair of disk gangs connected to said frame means, and draft transmitting means comprising rigid members pivotally connected to said frame means and said gangsfor generally vertical.

la frame having 'a downturned forward end, a

plurality of disk gangs pivotally connected with said frame means for swinging into and out of draft transmitting means comangled relation, prising a rigid member pivotally connected to the forward downturned end of said frame means for generally vertical and horizontal swinging movement relative thereto,-

transmitting means pivotally connected at their forward Iends with said rigid member and at their rear ends with the outer ends of said gangs for both vertical and horizontal swinging movement in substantially the same horizontal plane as the forward end of said frame means.

10. A disk harrow comprising frame means.

. two pairs 0f front and rear gangs connected with said frame means and forming the sole ground engaging supporting means for the disk harrow. draft transmitting means, and means providing for the connection of said draft transmitting means dire"ctly to said frame means at any one of a plurality of generally, vertically spaced points on said fraine means to provide for varying the pressure of. the front vgangs relative to the rear gangs by varying the height of connection of said draft transmitting means.

l1. A disk harrow comprising a rigid unitary frame, two pairs of front and rear gangs pivotally connected to said rigid frame for Vgenerally fore and aft swinging movement, the forward portion of ,said rigid frame terminating in a downwardly extending sectionhaving a plurality of generally vertically spaced openings, a draft member adaptedto be pivotally connected to said rigid frame member in selected openings, thereby providing for adjusting the pressure of the front gangs relative to the rear gangs, and draft connections between said front and rear gangs and betweensaid front gangs and said draft member.

12. A disk harrow comprising substantially rigid frame means-,pairs of front vand rear disk gangs, means pivoting the front gangs to said substantially rigid frame means, and laterallyadjustable means pivoting the inner ends of each of the rear gangs to said substantially rigid frame means to provide/ for lateral adjustment ofthe rear gangs relative to said substantially rigid frame means and toward and away from one another relative to the front gangs to accommodate different speeds of operation, different sizes'and shapes of disks and the like.

j 13,. A disk harrow comprising a ing a pair of generally longitudinally extending and a pair of draft frame includframe members, two pairs of front and rear disk gangs. bearing means at opposite ends of said frame members for supporting the frame on the inner ends of said gangs and establishing generally vertical pivotsabout which said gangs can swing into and out of angled position, and means for adjustably fixing the distance between the rear ends of said longitudinally extending frame members so as to adjustably nx the distance between the rear gangs.

14. In a disk harrow, a unitary rigid frame comprising a pair of generally longitudinally extending members. a forward transverse member secured atits ends to the forward portions of said longitudinally extending members, the latter extending forwardly of said rforward transverse member and terminating in downwardly disposed hitch-receiving sections, the portions of said longitudlnally'extending members rearwardly of said forward transverse member having some flexibility, a Vpair of rear transverse members rigidly fixed at their outer ends, respectively, to the rear portions of said longitudinal members and movable relative to one another by virtue of the iiexibility of said longitudinal members, and clamping meansfor adjustably fixing said rear transverse members against relative movement to determine the transverse distance between the rear portions of said longitudinally extending members. I

15. A disk har'row comprising a. frame, a pair of disk gangs-pivotally connected with said frame for generally fore and aft swinging movement into and out of transport position, and generally transverse spring means acting against said frame at points spaced longitudinally of the pivot axis of said gangs and against said gangs adjacent the laterally outer portions thereof for urging them toward their transport position.

16; A' disk harrow comprising a pair of disk gangs, frame means to which said gangs are pivoted for generally fore and aft movement into and out of angled operating position, and spring means extending between said frame means and said gangs for resisting upthrust of the gangs, said spring means being connected -with said frame means at a point spa-ced from the axes of fore and aft movement of the gangs so that the effective resisting force of the spring means increases generally in proportion to the angular displacement of thegangs from their substantially aligned position.

17.,A disk harrow comprising a unitary rigid frame having a forwarddraft-receiving portion, twopairs of front and rear disk gangs. pivotally connected for generally fore and aft swinging movement to the front and rear portions of said frame in laterally spaced relation, a draft member pivotally connected to said front portion of the frame and capable of lateral swinging movement relative thereto, laterally and rearwardly diverging draft connections between said draft member and said front gangs, and operative connections between said front and rear gangs whereby lateral turning movement of said draft member increases the angle between the gangs on the outside of the turn and decreases theA angle between the gangs on the inside of the turn so as to maintain the gangs in proper registration.

18. A disk narrow comprising a unitary rigid connecting the rear end of said draft member to the forward end of said frame, a yoke slidabl-y carried by said draft member, draft transmitting links connected to said yoke at their forward ends and having universal joint connections at their rear ends with the outer ends of the front gangs, said draft member and Said links being adapted to have free vertical swinging movement relative to said front gangs and said frame, means adjustably fixing the yoke on said draft member to determine the position of said front gangs relative to said frame, a pair of rearwardly extending arms fixed, respectively, to the inner ends of said front gangs, laterally outwardly extending links pivoted to the rear ends of said arms, and arms fixed to the inner ends of said rear gangs and pivotally receiving, respectively, the laterally outer ends of said last mentioned links, whereby generally fore and aft swinging movement of said front gangs serves to swing said rear gangs generally fore and aft, both said front and rear gangs being capable of generally vertical movement about generally longitudinal axes by virtue of the universal joint connections between said gangs and said frame.

. 19. A disk harrow comprising a unitary rigid frame, front and rear pairs of disk gangs pivotally connected at their inner ends to said rigid frame for generally fore and aft swinging movement, a rigid draft member pivoted to the forward end of said frame, draft connections between said draft member and the outer ends of the front gangs, whereby when said rigid draft member is swung laterally, one of said front gangs is pulled forwardly while the other front gang. is thrust rearwardly, relative to said frame.' and connections between the gangs at each side of the frame whereby. when each front gang'is swung about its pivot in one direction, the corresponding rear frame is swung about its pivot in the opposite direction.

20; A disk harrow comprising a unitary rigid frame, two pairs of front and rear gangs, universal joint meas connecting each gang to said rigid frame means, link means interconnecting said gangs, rigid draft transmitting means'connected to said rigid frame and the front gangs by universal joint connections and means for holding said gangs stable.

21. A disk harrow comprising a unitary rigid frame, two pairs of front and rear disk gangs pivoted thereto adjacent their inner ends for generally fore and aft swinging movement, the disks insaid front gangs facing outwardly and the disks in the rear gangs facing inwardly, a pair of tension springs connected between said rigid frame and the outer ends ofAsaid front gangs to resist the tendency of the outer disks of the front gangs to run deeper than the inner disks, and a pair of compression springs connected between said frame and the outer end of the rear gangs for exerting a `thrust against the latter to prevent the inner disks thereof from running deeper than the outer disks.

22. In a disk harrow, a frame comprising generally longitudinally extending members converging downwardly at their forward ends to form a draft receiving frame portion, a pair of front gangs pivoted at their inner ends to said longitudinally extending frame members rearwardly of said draft receiving frame portion, a pair of rear gangs pivoted to the rear ends of said longitudinally extending members, and means comprising a pair of relatively movable parts for adjustably clamping the rear portions of said frame in laterally adjustable spaced relation.

23. A disk harrow comprising a rigid frame, a pair of disk gangs pivotally connected at their inner ends to said frame for both fore and aft and -generally vertical swinging movement relative thereto, a draft member pivotally connected to the forward motion of said rigid frame, draft connections from said draft member to the outer ends of said disk gangs, and means for holding the gangs' stable. l

24. A disk harrow comprising a unitary rigid frame, a pair of front and rear gangs having universal joint connections with said frame adjacent their inner ends, a draft member. extending forwardly from saidI frame, universal joint means connecting the rear end of said draft member to the forwardend of said frame, a yoke slidably vcarried by said draft member, draft transmitting links connected to said yoke at their forward ends and having universal joint connections at their rear ends -with the outer ends of the front gangs, said draft member and said links being adapted to` have free vertical swinging movement relative to said frontgangs and said frame, means adjustably fixing the yoke on said draft member to determine the position of said front gangs relative to said frame,

and connections between the front and rear gangs whereby generally fore and aft swinging movement of said front gangs serves to swing said rear gangs generaly fore and aft, both said front and rear gangs being capable of generally vertical movement about generally longitudinal axes by virtue of the universal joint connections between said gangs and said frame.

25. A disk harrow comprising aunitaryrigid frame having a forward draft-receiving portion, pairs of front and rear disk gangs pivotally connected for generally fore and aft swinging niovement to the front and rear portions of said frame in laterally spaced relation, a draftmember pivotally connected to said front the frame and capable of lateral swinging movearms fixed, respectively, to the inner ends of the said front gangs, laterallyl outwardly extending links pivoted to the rear ends of said arms, and arms fixed to the inner ends of said.I rear gangs and pivotally receiving, respectively,

tending .the laterally outer ends of said last mentioned portion of ment relative thereto, a pair of rearwardly ex-f of said last-mentioned arms, each link having A a pivot pin disposed in the pivot receiving opening of the associated arm, there being a plurality of pivot receiving openings in the rear end of each of'said first-mentioned arms, said plurality of .openings being arranged generally arcuately about the pivot receiving opening on the adjacent forwardly extending arm, and a pivot pin h for each of said links adapted to be disposed in any one of the arcuately arranged openings Y in the associated rearwardly extendingarm.

27. A disk harrow comprising a rigid frame, front and rear pairs of disk harrow sections pivotally connected with said frame, a rigid draft 7 member pivotally connected -withsaii frameA for both vertical and horizontal swinging' movement relative thereto to transmit rigid draft connections between said draft mem b'er and saidfront sections and pivoted to the latter for both vertical and movement relative thereto, whereby movement of said-rigid draft member in one direction exerts a forward pull on one of -said sections and a rearward thrust on the other section, and draft connections between the front and' rear disk sections, whereby forward `movement of either Aof said front sections swings the associated rear section in the opposite direction.

28. A` disk harrow comprising a pair of disk gangs, means draft member pivoted to said framemeans for vertical movement, Adraft connections extending from said draft member to, said gangs and pivoted thereto for generally vertical movement, and means for maintaining said gang frames in vertical position.

29. A disk harrow comprising a pairof disk gangs, each having a gang frame and each gang frame comprising front and rear generally transversely disposed frame bars, a rigid draft member' pivotally connected with the gang frames for vertical movement relative thereto,

rigid draft connections pivoted to the forward bars of 4said gang frames for vertical movement relative thereto, and means for maintaining said gang frames in vertical position.

30. A disk harrow comprising means servin as a frame having a downturned forward end, a plurality of disk gangs pivotally connected with said framemeans for swinging into and out of angled relation, draft transmitting means comprisinga rigid member connected to the forward downturxied end of said frame means, a pair of draft transmitting means pivotally connected at their forward ends with said rigid member and at their rear ends with the outer ends of said gangs for vertical swinging movement, and means for maintaining said gangs in vertical position.

31. A disk harrow comprising a of disk gangs pivotally for generally fore and aft swinging movement into and out of transport position, and generally transverse spring means acting transversely of the harrowand against said gangs at points spaced longitudinally of their points of .pivotal connection with said frame for both holding said gangs level in operation and to urge their transpcrtposition.

32. A disk harrow comprising a pair of disk gangs, frame means to which said gangs are pivoted for' generally fore and aft movement into and out of angled operating position, and spring means connected between said gangs for resisting upthrust of the gangs` said spring means being connected with said gangs at points spaced generally longitudinally from the axes of fore and aft movement of the gangs so that the effective resisting force of the spring means increases generally in proportion to the angular displacement .of the gangsfrom their substantially aligned position.

33. A disk harrow comprising a unitary rigid frame, two pairs of front and rear disk gangs pivoted thereto adjacent their inner endsfor generally fore and aft swinging movement, the disks )in one pair of gangs facing outwardly and the disks in the other pairfof gangs facing inwardly, a transversely extending tension means connected frame, a pair draft to said frame,

horizontal swinging serving las a frame therefor,1 a.

connected with said frameI them toward between the gangs of said one pair' to resist the tendency of -the outer d-isks thereof to run deeper than the inner disks, and compression resisting means connected between the gangs of said other pair for exerting av thrust against the latter to preventl the inner disks thereof from running deeper than the outer disks.

3.4. A disk harrow comprising frame means, pairsof front and rear disk gangs-pivotally connected for `generally fore and aft swinging movement to said frame means, a draft member pivotally connected to sadframe means and capable of lateral swinging movement relative thereto, a pair of generally rearwardly extending arms fixed, respectively, to said front gangs, V

laterally outwardly extending links pivoted to the rear ends of said arms, andarmsxed to said rear gangs and pivotally receiving, respectively. the laterally outer ends of said last mentioned links, whereby lateral swinging movement of said draft member relative to saidV rigid frame serves to swing said front and rear gangs inopposite directions relative to said frame.

345. A disk harrow as deiined in claim 34, -further characterized by. said frame means being a substantially rigid structure, either of said first mentioned arms moving substantially into a straight line relation with thea/associated link whenthe harrow in angled operating position is drawn along a curved path, as when turning, thereby cooperating with said rigid frame structure to maintainthe gangs on .the outside of the turn in proper position.

36. A disk harrow. comprising a pair of disk gangs connected together in. generally axial alignment, the soil pressure acting against the gangs'tending to cause upthrust at their inner ends, and generally transverselyarranged spring means disposed approximately directly above the axes of the disks of said gangs and acting against the latter for resisting upthrust of the gangs.

37. A disk harrow comprising means serving as a frame, at least one disk gang pivotally connected therewith-for generally vertical swinging movement, and yielding means acting transverse- 1y against said gang at a point adjacent the outer end thereof and generally above the axis of swinging movement for resisting upthrust of the gang a frame, at least one disk gang pivotally connected therewith for generally vertical swinging movement, and yielding means acting generally transversely against said gang and` said frame means at a point generally above the axis of swinging movementof the gang for resisting upthrust thereof.

39. A disk harrow comprising a pair of disk gangs connected together in generally axial 38. A disk harrow comprising'means serving as alignment, thesoil' pressure acting against the disks of the gangs tending to cause upthrust of the latter, and transversely extending tension meansI disposed approximately directly above the axes of the disks of the gangs and connected with the latter so as to tend to hold said gangs lcvcl and to resist said upthrust.

40. A disk harrow as deiined in claim 39, fur-- ther characterized by said tension means being connected with the outer ends of said gangs to resist upthrust at their inner ends.

41. A disk harrow comprising a pair of generally axially arranged disk gangs arranged for fore and aft swinging movement into and out of transport position, and transvere means acting transversely of the harrow and against said gangs at points spaced from the axes of their pivotal movement so as to tend to hold said gangs level in operation and urge them toward their transport position.

42. A disk harrow comprising a pair of generally axially arranged disk gangs arranged for fore and aft swinging movement into and out of transport position, and means acting against said gangs at points spaced from the axes ol their pivotal movement so as to urge them toward their transport position.

43. A disk harrow comprising a pair of generally axially arranged disk gangs arranged for fore and aft swinging movement into and out of transport position, and means acting against said gangs ,at points spaced from the axes of their pivotal movement so as to tend to hold said gangs level in operation and urge them toward their transport position.

44. A disk harrow comprising a pair oi disk gangs connected together in generally axial alignment for generally'fore and aft swinging movement into different angular positions, the soil pressure acting against the disks of the gangs tending toVf cause upthrust of the latter, and means connected with said gangs to resist upthrust of the gangs with an effective force that increases as the angle between said gangs increases.

45. A disk harrowl comprising a'pair of disk gangs connected together in generally axial alignment for generally fore and aft swinging movement into different angular positions, the soil pressure acting against the disks of the gangs tending to cause upthrustof the latter, and resilient means connected with said gangs at points spaced from the axis of relative movement of said gangs in both vertical and fore and after directions, whereby said resilient means tends to resist said upthrust with a force that increases when the angle between said gangs increases.

CHARLES H. WHITE. 

